Special legislative session

The House and Senate gave final passage to changes to Oklahoma's civil justice system as Republican leaders hoped to wrap up a five-day special session to overhaul the state's tort laws.

About two dozen bills were expected to be considered Monday — the final day of the Legislature's first special session since 2006. The measures address legal procedures in areas like medical malpractice, class-action lawsuits and product liability, among others.

A bill that requires an affidavit from an expert in certain civil cases prompted bitter reaction from House Democrats, who said the Oklahoma Supreme Court has been clear that the requirement was unconstitutional.

Gov. Mary Fallin requested the session after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in June that a 2009 bill to overhaul the state's tort laws was unconstitutional.